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Austin Diner
Category: Restaurants Diners Diners [Edit]
5408 Burnet RdAustin, TX 78756
Neighborhood: Allandale
(512) 467-9552
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6:30 am - 9 pm
Sat 7 am - 9 pm
Sun 7 am - 2:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
150 reviews for Austin Diner
Review Highlights
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"the breakfast tacos (less than $3 each." In 7 reviews -
"They are seriously the best home fries in all of Austin." In 16 reviews -
"DELICIOUS biscuits and gravy (holy crap." In 11 reviews
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150 reviews in English
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Review from M B.
Austin, TX
5/12/2012
This review is for the Austin Diner post-move to the shopping center location around April 2012...
So I have to say, I was one of those people who wasn't impressed with Austin Diner at its old location. Went once long ago, never went back, even though I live in the 'hood. There were just too many other good places to get breakfast - Omlettry, Kerbey Lane, etc. Still, with the move, I thought I'd give them another shot, and I'm glad I did.
New location doesn't have the same charm as the old, but they've done a nice job making a bland strip-mall location into something cute in a diner sort of way. I especially liked the display of old mixers lining the walls. The servers are very friendly, and the place looks like it is family-run.
My spouse and I got the same thing - the California skillet - basically a big pile of spinach, onions, mushrooms, cheese and avocado over hash browns topped with two eggs. It was huge, and it was delicious. The side salsa was fresh and seemed homemade, not from a jar (shudder). It came with a side - we both got the whole wheat pancake, which was tasty. I appreciated having the whole wheat option. My son liked his breakfast tacos - they looked pretty standard, plus big and full of filling.
My only negative comment is about the coffee. Not good.
Overall, we quite enjoyed my meal, and from the crowd of folks there with us, I'd say we weren't alone. So glad the new location has brought about some welcome changes. -
Review from Valeri L.
2/23/2012
Stopped on in before I went to work. I had an hour to kill and I wanted some breakfast. I tried their combo breakfast which was really neat. Two pancakes, eggs and bacon, it was sooooo yummy!! It was probably the best pancakes I've had in a while. They were fluffy and warm and it was really yummy to eat.
What's more, is the decor was so awesome, I felt like I was in a Quentin Tarantino movie, it was such a cool classic diner lay out! And they have pie! Does Quentin Tarantino know about this? If not, I think he should!
Anywho, I heard they were moving to a new location, I hope it's just as cool as this locale. -
Review from Shani S.
2/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
It's early on Friday morning. I'm off work and snuggling under the covers, warm and cozy and twittering with my morning #warriors.
Someone mentioned something about biscuits and sausage (maybe it was me...?) and Mark Mc. went down a wormhole of biscuits for breakfast.
We went back and forth about where to go (we ALWAYS eat in his 'hood and I have yummy places in mine), ending with him suggesting Austin Diner.
I checked the yelp reviews, mixed as they were, and was still not fully in to the whole idea. *Roaches?! Eww!
Mark Mc. tells me that I'll love the place, to quite reading reviews from people who just don't "get it".
I agree to give it a try (what sort of yelp adventurer would I be if I didn't go?), get dressed, and wait for Mark Mc. to come scoop me up.
We enter the spot and it smells awesomely of bacon. Mmmmmmmm
We sit at a booth and I order some giant concoction of breakfast with sausage, bacon, hash browns, eggs and their oh so yummy biscuits with sausage gravy.
Sweet Heaven! It's awesome.
Mark Mc asks me if I like it. I nod with my eyes closed and a mouth of yummy goodness.
I couldn't finish my food... there's just so much of it... but wowzers! I was impressed and can't wait to go back and try more.
The atmosphere is great, the place is full of all different types of people and I had a great time with my #warrior brother, Mark Mc.
*Thanks for being so pushy about the place, Mark Mc! -
Review from Sheryl Z.
Austin, TX
Updated - 5/15/2012
Austin Diner decided to make some changes. I don't know whether it is under new management since they moved down the street, but they took several of my mom's favorite items off the menu and have changed their style of cooking on several things.
I used to rank their bacon cheeseburger as about the best in Austin, but I didn't really enjoy it this last visit. The bread was different, the fries were different, and the meat seemed much fattier to me. I just didn't enjoy it.
I used to get a stomach ache from eating it, but thought it was worth it, but this time I just got a stomach ache.
I mean, their food is still marginally ok, but just not as good as it was.
Moral to the story: keep experimenting because things change.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/14/2011
Have you noticed that all the great eateries are like cafes and diners? They remind me of what Hans… Read more »
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Review from Carol A.
Austin, TX
5/12/2012
Vintage accessories moved to new location is not the same. Retro feel is removed by placement on shelves high above dining area instead of providing the feel of eating in someone's kitchen. Food is good, portions generous. Waitstaff is friendly and attentive. Portions are generous and nurturing; Texmex and traditional southern dishes; daily weekday specials. I had chicken fried steak; brown gravy was good, salad crisp. Friend's eggs over easy, black beans and grits with bacon were done to her satisfaction. Good for families. Parking.
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Review from Michelle S.
Austin, TX
4/28/2012
We tried Austin Diner's new location today and it left little to be desired. They screwed up both of our orders and it took quite a while to get our food. The atmosphere was much better at the old location as the new place is way too bright and is not inviting at all. Pretty sure we'll never go back. :-(
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Review from J B.
Austin, TX
2/2/2012
COCKROACHES! COCKROACHES! COCKROACHES! OMG I am never going here again. As I was walking out, I decided to look at the album covers on the wall in the entry way. It was covered with cockdoaches!! Omg they were huge. I almost lost my breakfast all over the floor.
I'm really upset because this has always been one of my favorite places too eat. -
Review from Solomon W.
Austin, TX
2/3/2012
In my four years in Austin, I have driven by Austin Diner countless times, and it is now deciding to move locations. Still close-by, but it is funny that I always seem to eat at a joint that is about to make a big change. I ate at El Greco a week before Mr. Ramsay laid hands on it, with no knowledge that he was going to grace it with his presence.
So, I finally dropped into this Burnet institution, and what I was received with was pretty much what I was expected, the restaurant sitting without a soul before I arrived, after I left, and probably well into the morning: very mediocre, cheap grub.
I liked the honest response to my question of "Do y'all make the cinnamon rolls here?": "Errr... they are frozen." Honesty is the best policy, and that deterrent from ordering the spiced baked good was probably what saved their rating from getting a 1--closest thing to a big goose egg.
So, I went with my pitless stomach and ordered up some starch. Less than $1.75 for TWO biscuits. Less than $1.50 for a BOWL of sausage gravy--though it is hard to call it sausage gravy, as there was only 1 cube of sausage in the entire large bowl. What does this outrageously affordable combo create? Bland gravy on top of a biscuit that I am almost positive originally frozen. It was just too... uniform and fluffy.
Next. Less than $1.75 for a MOUND of very coarse home fries? That is ridiculous. The tubers were larger-cut than even Thanksgiving-style roasted potatoes. I saw them being microwaved, but at least I got a lot of them. Best thing? Skin-on. At least I knew that I was eating somewhat healthy... fiber and minerals, right? Worst thing? Salty as the ocean, unfortunately. I normally love my starchy ground-grown brown objects salty, but it was too much here. Maybe the salt just soaked in hard over time. I have no idea how long those things sat in the fridge.
Alas, I was full. I paid a minimal price for an abundance of grub. Was I satisfied? I guess..... well, actually, if I have to second guess myself, then, no. I was, in fact, not that pleased with the most important meal of the day provided here. -
Review from Meggen D.
I've been driving by this place for years, meaning to try it, but I didn't have an excuse to stop in until this past weekend. Some friends were heading there for lunch on Saturday, so I vowed to work out on Sunday in exchange for the no-doubt artery-clogging feast I was about to enjoy.
I'm not a breakfast-lover, so I immediately flipped through the lunch offerings. Because I was feeling extra healthy, I chose the "Cheesy BLT," a standard BLT with American cheese served with potato chips. There was crisp bacon sticking out of all sides of this thing! Amazing!
My friends ordered very large breakfasts. I tasted a couple of things, and they were all pretty good:
-The Home Fries were seasoned really well and a good mixture of chewy and crispy.
-The Biscuits and Gravy were heavenly. I be the biscuits would be delicious on their own. But really, you can't go wrong dousing anything in country gravy. Am I right?
-The Buttermilk Pancakes were soft and pillowy--very satisfying.
Honestly, I don't know how my friends managed to eat so much food. I thought I was going to pop after my sandwich and, the piece de resistance,......the Strawberry Milkshake!
They make their malts and shakes from scratch. They didn't use strawberry ice cream for this shake. They used vanilla ice cream, cream, and fresh strawberries. It wasn't too thick or too rich. It was the perfect shake. I'd probably go back just for another one of those!
So, why the 3 stars? I guess the food alone scored 4, but I took a star away for service. Our waiter couldn't adequately communicate with us in English, which would have been ok, but he only placed about 50% of our order. The other half we eventually got...by getting the waiter's attention multiple times later on and asking for the missing items. Whatever, we got through it. Apparently the bad service is atypical. So, I'd probably go back. -
Review from honest abe b.
Austin, TX
12/6/2011
Had breakfast there Sunday with my daughter... and 2 unexpected guest: cockroaches! By their belly-up, legs-a-twitchin', twirling state, i suppose the critters fell from the hole in the ceiling tile above our booth... subject to a recent bug-bombing. Icky.
Knowing that Austin is in southern climes and prone to being buggy, I tried to accept the circumstance and just go with the flow. However, staring at my b-fast taco, one had to wonder if the sausage mixture may have contained... uh, never mind.
Anyway, mentioned our dining experience to cashier, and was perhaps hoping for some type of discount or even free coffee. Nope. Nada. Just a "sorry, that'll be $12.95". Okay then... we won't be back. -
Review from Chewkie B.
Austin, TX
12/16/2011
As soon as I walked in, there was a foul smell in the entry way. The hostess kind of stared at us as if she wanted to make sure that we wanted to stay even after we smelled whatever that was before she made her move to seat us.
At first I thought the decor was fun and kitchy, but after looking around for a bit, I realized that it just needs to be updated. Some of it is just a tetanus shot waiting to happen, the guy at the table next to us was sitting in a chair and it broke (this was not a heavy man), the hostess came over and gave him a new chair...she didn't apologize to the man, I thought that to be a bit rude.
We ordered and the waitress was a no-nonsense kind of gal. No 'hello' or 'my name is ...' Simply an "Are you ready to order?" It was a little busy, but damn! Whatever, I ordered and food really didn't take long. I had the Santa Fe special. It was pretty good. What I was super excited about was the pancake that for some reason was included in the special. The pancake was wonderful! Light and airy, I was surprised! I wasn't in a pancake mood, but I ate it up! We never got the toast we asked for, twice. Coffee never was filled, waitress flew by the table and hardly paid attention to what we were saying.
Check came, we were over charged (for that stupid toast). Check got fixed, we were fine. A couple days later, the charge appears on our bank account. What we thought was supposed to be a $18 and change visit was actually a $34 charge?!? We called the place and they said the tip looked like $16. Yeah, tipping $16 on an $18 bill, makes sense. When we brought up the math, they credited back the account.
After that, we went shopping around and I realized we smelled like the damn diner. Ugh!
That damn pancake saved them. -
Review from Gene R.
Cedar Park, TX
10/26/2011 8 Check-ins Here
This place is kind of interesting. The decor is a little funky - records hanging from the ceiling, concert posters and etc. The food is order from menu, and I haven't found anything bad yet. They usually have a couple lunch specials with generous portions and a good selection of veggies.
Here's what makes it interesting - everything I've had so far has been prepared with a slightly Mexican flair. Order the pot roast, and it's just a little bit Mexican. Not overpowering, just a hint of some spice or flavoring that makes it seem to lean that way. Interesting, but quite good.
Of course the enchiladas and other Mexican fare is just great, but this is NOT a Mexican restaurant. Whatever it is, it's one of my favorite places to have lunch.
try it - it's pretty cheap, good service, good food - what more could you ask? -
Review from Nicole P.
11/29/2011
If I had gone there myself, this would be a two-star review. The service was ridiculously slow, and our server knew very little English, so it was a good thing I didn't need to request anything special other than "no bread." We were one of only 3 tables there, so I'm not sure what the delay was.
The jalapeño poppers we ordered took about half an hour to come out. (They were quite tasty and not too greasy, and bonus points for being full of cheddar instead of cream cheese.) My chicken was very dry and not particularly seasoned.
That said, my boyfriend was with me, and he was in a "breakfast for dinner" sort of mood, and his meal was amazing and completely worth the long wait. The biscuits were fluffy, the gravy was hearty and well-seasoned, and his $2 bacon taco was huge, with everything perfectly cooked.
I'll go back, but probably not in the evening and certainly only for the delightfully inexpensive and tasty breakfast food, because that is obviously where the Austin Diner shines. Which is a shame, because the atmosphere here reminds me of the sort of place I could be happy to chill out with a cup of coffee and a plate of something snacky while I study, if only they were open late night (they're not). -
Review from Jenny L.
Such a strange place. Funny decor, weird specials, and a feel of a Seinfeld show.
It's great. The veggie burger is big and fat. Fried green tomatoes are okay. Salsa and chips - a cereal bowl full of salsa? Yes please. Vegetable sandwich, no cheese, fresh and crisp and lovely.
For my omnivore husband, he tries something different each time. Many times, the egg dishes, which seem to be smothered in sauce. A weird orange colored sauce that is topped with an ungodly amount of cheese. He has mentioned the biscuits and gravy are tasty.
It can be a bit dirty and dingy, but hey, it's a diner. Bottom line - good food, decent prices, nice service, little grimy, daily specials, great veggie burger.Listed in: Vegan and the Beast, Vegans don't always suck.
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Review from dan p.
Austin, TX
2/7/2012
Good all day breakfast and we had some great tortilla soup on our last visit. Hash browns are really good with the breakfast. Only complaint is they've shortened their hours to close at 2:30 in anticipation of a move down the street that never seems to happen.
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Review from andrew s.
Austin, TX
12/11/2011
New Jollyville location:
Went there the other day for a late breakfast. They have done nothing to the place but ad a new sign. I'm guessing the place now has two owners- one for the bar business and Austin Diner for the food.
The management needs to train the waiter staff to be more attentive. Check the table and make sure I have everything when my order is delivered- that's restaurant management 101. Took forever to bring my bill and settle up.
Food in general- Meh
I really hope they improve the ambiance too. Late morning and the had tv audio on with loudy crappy music blaring over tvs- not really what patrons at that hour are excepting I think.
If you want to escape the loud music and the bar area and its not good outside, there is a separate room with terrible, bright overhead lights.
I'm hoping they make some changes- will try it again at some point to see! -
Review from Dillar S.
8/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
I can't believe I have lived in Austin for 11 years, and have never eaten here. I even lived 2 miles away some time ago.
-Sunday - 1pm - no wait - great server - bold coffee - cheap - big ass plate of food---- One happy yelper.
For those of you looking for biscuits and gravy in Austin, this is your place! -
Review from Michael T.
Austin, TX
9/24/2011
Just checked it out.
I think you ought to check it out in the next few weeks before they move - a great diner setting.
Food was diner food.
Liked the home fries a lot, the bacon was over-charred, the pancakes were gummy. The eggs and sausage just fine. Wife like her salmon croquettes, mashed potatoes and beans but I thought they were awful. Maybe a moment of nostalgia for her high school cafeteria?
Coffee was tolerable. Portions were generous, so no opinion on dessert.
Server was totally indifferent, though efficient enough.
Background music was loud, tinny commercial radio, detracting from the already rocky experience.
This is a place for a photographer, not a hungry person or a group seeking quiet conversation. Once they move there will be no point, but meanwhile it is worth a short visit for the scenery. Once. -
Review from Johnny B.
Arlington Heights, IL
10/10/2011
Went here one morning for breakfast one morning. I wish the owner would spend a couple of $$ to repair the booth seating. The vinyl is cracked and bare in sections and I had a spring in my A__ as I sat down. Food was OK, Service was Good +. I compare breakfast places to my fav the omletree, ironically, just down the street. Had to try it as daughter lives in walking distance to this place.
JohnnyChitown -
Review from Katy M.
Austin, TX
7/30/2011
The food was alright but not worth the price. It tasted like cafeteria food. Out waitress kept confusing what we wanted and was slow to bring out refills/ take our order.
I'd prefer a trip to Magnolia's rather than Austin Diner.
It's only redeeming quality was its funky interior of mid-century decor.Listed in: Worst in town
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Review from Tony H.
12/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Food is really good, the atmosphere is pretty good as well. The interior could use an upgrade, but the food is what counts. The prices are very reasonable and the portions generous. Id definitely recommend this as a stop for someone wanting a good breakfast.
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Review from Jazmin R.
Austin, TX
8/11/2011
THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE BREAKFAST ONLY - - -
This place has become a staple on the weekends. Saturday or Sunday waking up at the crack of noon i always HAVE TO HAVE breakfast, i don't care if i wake up at 5 PM, i want breakfast!
My usual is the french toast with a side of scrambled eggs and hash browns OR 2 bacon egg and cheese tacos. My boyfriends usual is the ham and cheese omelet with hashbrowns and two pancakes. We pour their delicious salsa over the eggs and ohh....Dude, we slam. Plus, the bill is always cheap :) Love IT! -
Review from Jan A.
12/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
this place seriously needs a renovation!! the food was quite alright, but the establishment definitely needs some fixing up. the booths were TAPED together & the tables were so dingy.
my boyfriend & I decided to try the chicken fried steak, which was pretty good. the potatoes were AWESOME, but were a bit too greasy. the portions were generous & the waitress wasn't very attentive. don't think I'll be back.... -
Review from Clare B.
Austin, TX
10/30/2011
While the food is fine, the place itself is absolutely filthy. Last time I went there for bunch there were roaches everywhere, and I mean everywhere. One crawled in the booth behind us, they were on the walls, and none of us wanted to eat our food, given the filth we could see just in the dining area! As we left I noticed a really extra large roach over the door by the hostess sand, which I proceeded to point out. Her reply? "Oh yeah, they come in from outside, not much we can do about it." And she went back to looking at the seating cart. Lovely.
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Review from Minh M.
Austin, TX
1/20/2012
It sucked. The food was bad, and I saw a bug behind me ,on the counter, and on people. The service sucks, and also the atmosphere. It looks like a dump. The only reason it has a star is that the waffle was okay.
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Review from Alex H.
Austin, TX
5/22/2011
This the kind of eatery that we need fewer of in this country. The menu is boring and of sub-par quality, the servers are unmotivated.
I ate a monterey chicken sandwich, comprised of a bland chicken breast, greasy jack cheese, guacamole (the only decent part), and tasteless tomatoes and lettuce. Served on a cardboard-like piece of "sourdough" and a side of store-bought potato chips, this one sent me running for the hills.
Can restaurateurs please put some thought into their menus, and hire some real culinary talent before opening a diner, especially one with Austin's name attached to it? This was a huge disappointment for the citizens of Texas's capital, who have a recently sparked interest in quality cuisine. Maybe next time, Diner. Guy Fieri would not be pleased. -
Review from Chris B.
3/6/2011
In a word: Unimpressed. We stopped in for breakfast and this place was just not cutting it. My wife thought the place smelled a bit funny, although I didn't notice. The eggs were not good (how do you mess up eggs?) and the sides were not good either. The pancakes had a weird texture and were not very tasty. The best thing I had was the Biscuts and Gravy. They were edible, so that was a step in the right direction but unfortunately it's not enough to save this place. I don't think we will be going back.
Pros: Cool retro feel.
Cons: Everything else. -
Review from Greg D.
Austin, TX
4/27/2011
Getting hungry after shopping for ovens we decided to stop in Austin Diner for a late lunch. I ordered a fried oyster/catfish combo with sides of mashers & a salad. First thing i got was a very brown iceberg salad. To me this is the ultimate sin for a restaurant, because not only does the person who made it not give a f##k but the also the server that brings it. The mashers tasted and were textured as if they were out of a box. And the seafood although not funky or bad was a very small portion and was served with: ketchup and salsa? had to ask for tarter and lemons.
We will not be going back. -
Review from Rick A.
Austin, TX
12/2/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I've been to Austin Dinner many times on the past and the food had always been good; not great, but good. Today, not so much! Cold toast, luke warm grits, over cooked eggs (which were cold as well). I'll have to consider this an anomaly. I'll go back to Austin Diner and hope...
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Review from samuel c.
Austin, TX
8/15/2011
This is thoughtful well executed American food.
I've only had breakfast here ... but I was impressed.
An American breakfasts in restaurants are usually solid.
They rarely excellent.
The dishes are standardized - and frankly not that hard to cook.
(How hard is it is to make migas really???)
And nothing here would make Anthony Bourdain fly a thousand miles to have a once in a life time breakfast.
But here nothing is screwed up and the small touches are well done.
The French toast has subtle traces of cinnamon that really help the dish.
I don't know if the the blueberry compote that came as an optional topping was fresh or from a vendor ... but it was NOT the awful bright blue stuff that passes for blueberry pie filling and pancake topping you get at a lot of other places. It may not have been fresh Pacific blueberries 30 minutes from the field in Oregon - but given the realistic limits of being in Texas - it was nicely done.
Sausage was served in a bowl (well I can add one more odd experience to my life)
it was still good - flavored with sage rather than the black pepper that ruins so much breakfast sausage.
Coffee was excellent (and yes there are highly regarded diners in Austin that will pour you a cup of stale coffee.)
This is a serious go-to location for someone looking for a traditional American breakfast.
It is not Nirvana.
The 1950's retro furniture has received a LOT of wear and tear and needs replacement badly.
One booth was so cramped and uncomfortable we had to shift ...
and we swapped out several stand alone chairs before we could find one that didn't rock.
And - - - this is my own personal sensibility not shared by others -
I cringe when i see people decorate by puncturing phonograph records and hanging them from walls or the ceiling.
A phonograph record is a cultural artifact that is ruined if it is punctured or abused. One never knows now what artifacts will be rare or irreplaceable some day in the future.
But that's just me. Both the furniture and the decorating are going to change because Austin Diner intends to change location - and reoutfit in the near future.
If they fix the physical plant issues and keep the food - they will be a first class institution. -
Review from Nancy W.
Austin, TX
Updated - 11/25/2011
Update: They seem to be moving to the same area as Savers on Burnet Road. We spied the place they are remodeling. I will give them another chance. We'll see. I believe people and places can change.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/22/2009
I keep giving them a chance. The first time we went was a while ago and we loved them, Slowly the… Read more »
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Review from Hollie B.
Austin, TX
12/1/2011
Renovation? This place has a bit of a dive vibe but isn't that what Burnet Road is all about? I'm just saying you might want to move a little further North of town if you can't appreciate the ambiance at this funky little diner. The breakfast wins and so does the staff. We drive all the way from 78704 to brunch at this special spot.
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Review from Tonya T.
3/3/2011
It was 8pm and I wanted pancakes. When this is the situation, your options are pretty limited. Magnolia, Kerbey, IHOP (shudder), Denny's (blech)...
Magnolia and Kerbey are both perfectly acceptable choices, but I wanted to try something new. Which is how we ended up at the Austin Diner. 45 minutes before closing and the place was empty. Which I actually didn't mind. I really like the kitschy decor - I am mildly obsessed with KitchenAid mixers, so I was excited to see a shelf full of "antique" mixers. At a place like this, I always order breakfast. Always. Anything else is a dice roll.
I had the banana nut pancakes with a side of bacon. And now I have a new favorite pancake in Austin. They had the perfect texture - not too thin, not too doughy. The bacon was very crisp, just the way I like it. But it might be a little too crisp for some people.
I will definitely be back for pancakes. I don't know why people are complaining about the prices. They are in line with similar establishments in the area. As I said earlier, I don't think I'd stray from the breakfast menu, and it certainly ain't fancy, but when you need pancakes after 11am they're worth a try. -
Review from Rolando R.
Austin, TX
I love me a greasy spoon! Especially when my butt is hungover and it's in the morning during the weekend. Here's the best part, there's never really a wait! I've never had lunch here, so my review will be just on breakfast alone. The coffee here is your standard brew, but it's always pipin' hot and served with a smile. I typically get the "Laura's Big Time" plate. This heapin' helpin' plate full of hangover relief comes with all your heart attack inducing goodness favorites like 3 eggs, sausage, bacon and just to help all those calories push through quickly through your belly---wheat pancakes! If that breakfast combination doesn't soak up all that damn Jager you drank the night before... I don't know what will.
Get your slow moving butt down there on a Saturday or Sunday morning and enjoy the cool 60's vibe this place has. We need more places like this in the world. -
Review from Anna G.
Austin, TX
7/21/2008 ROTD 12/17/2008
I've been avoiding reviewing Austin Diner for the last three months even though it's the restaurant I've gone to the most in the past year. Maybe I'm embarrassed, maybe I'm not sure I'm ready to evaluate why I keep going back when the food, service and coffee aren't that great or maybe I just don't have a lot to say about eggs.
I'm not going to make excuses for myself: it's close to my house and kid-friendly - there is a fairly extensive children's menu and the dusty vintage décor is fun for the kiddos. Also, there's a coin-operated machine full of rubber balls near the exit.
My main problem with Austin Diner is that they are lazy cooks and often take shortcuts,yeilding inconsistent results. Case in point: one day, the chocolate chip pancake has chips in the batter, the next day, it's a plain pancake with a handful of chips on top - this is CHEATING. I love the Bacon Taco because I love Bacon and generally, it's pretty good stuff. But yesterday there was barely any BACON in it. Argh!
I like the Oscar's Taco and Vegetarian Taco, Jake's Cake (cottage cheese pancake), biscuits, hash browns and home fries when the staff are in the mood to prepare them properly.
To recap, it's not clean, coffee is terrible, service basic, if genuinely bad sometimes, food can be a crap shoot and lately, I noticed it's overly hot. So, you'll probably see me in there next weekend (hangs head in shame).Listed in: The Kids Are Allright, Livin' It Up, Wooten Style, DO NOT WANT
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Review from Beef B.
Austin, TX
4/9/2011
No thanks,
Cold biscuits and "sausage" gravy, Cold eggs, and onion rings that somehow managed to hold a substantial amount of grease inside the batter. just not impressed. -
Review from Liz W.
Austin, TX
1/4/2010
The decor looks like a diner I went to in San Francisco in the business district. So do the menu prices.
Maybe it should go without saying, but a diner should never look like it belongs in the business district of San Francisco. Diners should be the last refuge of the salt-of-the-earth type people. The waitress should be middle-aged and call you honey. You should be able to get a cup of coffee for about a dollar. A diner should not come off like whatever the restaurant equivalent is of an upper-middle-class kid slumming.
This diner has some sort of weird identity crisis. It wants to look hip and charge a lot of money, but it wants to still try to serve traditional diner fare. But it fails at both, because it misses the mark on what makes traditional greasy diner food so good.
Look, if you're going to be this greasy, you should be tasty and cheap. -
Review from Chris M.
1/17/2010
Been thinking of this place for months now since I drive by it frequently and it's near my neighborhood. Every time I want a diner-type breakfast or atmosphere I usually end up resorting to Kerby or Magnolia's, or sometimes Cisco's (yes, I'm limited). Mr. Imbiss finally coaxed me into trying something different to help diversify my local-diner repertoire.
The place was packed, and that's always a good sign, plus there's plenty of parking in the back. Since I only have Kerby and Mags to compare to I'll say that when you walk in it's quite eclectic. Black and white checkered floor, lots of different items on the walls (45 record LP's, antique coffee pots). Some of the aqua blue bench seats are torn up w/ the foam exposed, it does have it's own style and weird theme.
The food: don't expect 8 different omelets or 15 different breakfast plates, they have the basics here, so I got the Migas which includes black beans, 2 tortillas and home fries. My friend got the Beef Omelet special that was smothered w/ a chipotle salsa and came w/ home fries and 1 pancake, which we substituted for "Jack's Cakes" which is a gingerbread-type pancake made w/ cottage cheese.
My migas were great, not the best but very good. The pancake was good - nothing special, if it's supposed to be a health thing then I do recommend since it tastes like a normal pancake. Home fries were on the greasy side but still good, but the salsa was blah (that's a downer) - - tasted like it came from a large plastic Ortega jug (ehhh). Service was great, our waitress filled our drinks and was prompt and courteous. The prices are reasonable too, not your usual $1.00 mark-up as you may see in other areas.
I would go here again, although there's nothing unique or outta this world (on the menu) that would draw me to them over Kerby's or Mags. -
Review from Mark S.
Austin, TX
11/28/2009
Nah. I've given them the benefit of the doubt and gone 3 times. With so many BETTER places to get "diner food" in town, why bother?
I won't be back.
Atmosphere: Kitchy doesn't automatically equal "cool" and it could all use a scrubbing. Introverts beware: the seating makes you feel like a voyeur.
Service: What service?
Food: How long does mediocre food have to sit in the window and congeal before being considered inedible? Austin Diner doesn't know.... -
Review from Matthew H.
Austin, TX
8/19/2008
There is always that one kid you go to school with...the one who insists they're cool, oblivious to everyones open distaste for them. They force themselves into conversations, rudely insinuating themselves on others and generally being a nuisance. Got a picture of that kid in your head now? Good. Now picture they opened up their own diner and hired several rude people just like them to make poorly cooked breakfast.
The one time...and only time...I've eaten here, it took over 30 mins to get a plate of biscuits and gravy well after the breakfast rush had ended. The waitress barely spoke, as though scowling is its own language, and when the food did arrive it was cold and missing the side item I'd requested. (A side of bacon, for those curious) I was still charged for it, and when I pointed it out, well after I'd eaten, the waitress darted off and returned with a plate of cold bacon strips. God knows where they'd been, or if they were even mine...in any event, she acted as though I stole her child when I asked if it could be removed from my ticket (as I'd been charged for them).
Noooooothankyou. I'd rather eat at Ihop.
